This year marks the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It is the longest running sporting event in America. But as celebrated as it is among racing fans, 2023 was a dark year for the Derby when, in the weeks surrounding the “Race for the Roses,” a dozen horses fell during training at the clue.
An independent investigation cleared Churchill Downs of any wrongdoing in the equine deaths.
In a statement, Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority, told “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Following the events of last spring, HISA responded quickly to support Churchill Downs in its efforts to identify the causes of breakdowns and prevent further equine injuries Although we have not found a single cause connecting the fatalities, in accordance with HISA's recommendations, Churchill Downs has taken several steps to improve riding surfaces the track, including investing in and introducing new surface maintenance equipment and increasing the frequency of surface testing.
“HISA is working closely with Churchill Downs to ensure the highest standards of integrity and safety are met for this year's meeting, but it is important to note that ensuring the safety of a horse must be Throughout the year, HISA has been laser-focused on improving the ecosystem of care surrounding the horses at each track, including ensuring track surfaces are in optimal condition. enforce our anti-doping program, improve veterinary oversight and invest in cutting-edge technology to prevent equine injuries.”
[The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is a private self-regulatory organization, created by Congress and overseen by the Federal Trade Commission, to implement national standards for safety rules at racetrack facilities.]
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Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack, told “Sunday Morning” correspondent Jim Axelrod, “After the usual investigation by our state and federal regulators and our own thorough internal investigation, we were unable to find a cause singular for this group of unfortunate horses.The wounds, then, we have not a single explanation to give you.
Last year's news came on the heels of similar reports of horse deaths at other tracks, including Santa Anita in California, and Belmont Park in New York.
“I think it was a bit of a wake-up call for the industry,” Anderson said, “to make sure there's unwavering compliance with regulations and rules, both from a safety standpoint and of medication. I think the industry has stepped up. And we've taken several key initiatives to make things even better.”
In addition to improved surface management and better training regimens, Anderson pointed to some technological advances being used to protect horses, including a biometric device called StrideSAFE, “which is a device that you actually put on in the saddle of the horses, [that] can detect irregularities in the horse's gait. Therefore, we can avoid injuries if we get them off the court early enough. …
“We've increased our veterinary care. We've added additional resources with our chief medical officer, chief equine medical officer to give you that specialized care for horses, whether it's for entry screening or pre-exams the race,” he said. “We have set up a Safety Management Oversight Committee, which includes gentlemen and ladies, vets, jockeys and our management team so we can have frank conversations with each other and share ideas and thoughts. [on] how to improve security protocols and take action in real time. …
“Churchill Downs takes the safety of our participants very seriously,” Anderson said. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of all our participants, human and equine. And we take every safety measure and protocol under our control to make sure our circuits are safe for racing, our practices and Racing policies are followed, in coordination with our regulators, we have the highest standards… We want to protect the integrity of how the public, our fans and our punters perceive us that we are taking all the right steps.”
Axelrod asked, “Have you done enough?”
“I think the industry is constantly making improvements and improving,” Anderson responded. “I think there's still room for growth. But here at Churchill Downs, again, we see ourselves as the gold standard. And we don't take that lightly. And we've accepted the challenge. And we're going to make sure the standards are met here higher security levels”.
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